Abstract
BACKGROUND: Young patients represent an increasing subgroup with head and neck cancer. METHODS: Patients between 18 and 39 years of age with newly diagnosed and previously untreated squamous cell cancers were identified. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients met the selection criteria: 28 patients were never-smokers/never-drinkers (NSNDs), and 50 patients reported tobacco or alcohol abuse (smokers and/or drinkers [SD]). NSND patients were diagnosed at a younger median age (31.5 years vs 35.5 years, p = .007), were more likely to be female (75% vs 30%, p < .001) and white (89% vs 60%, p = .006), and were more likely to have tumors of the oral tongue (57% vs 24%, p = .003) and T1 disease (47% vs 20%, p = .01). There was no difference in 10-year relapse-free survival, but a suggestion of improved 10-year overall survival for NSND patients (71% vs 46%, p = .10). CONCLUSIONS: Young patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) appear to have unique clinical profiles based on history of alcohol and tobacco abuse.